N. Illinois to Play in BCS Bowl

Northern Illinois University was selected to play in the Discover Orange Bowl against Florida State, as announced by the BCS on Sunday night.

The team from DeKalb, Ill., was selected due to their No. 15 finish in the BCS standings.

However, they will not have their head coach on the sideline, as Dave Doeren recently accepted the head coaching job at N.C. State after winning the MAC Championship game against Kent State. Offensive line coach Rod Carey will fill in for the game.

“We are sure excited,” said Carey, just before learning of the choice. “It’s been a crazy weekend up here at Northern Illinois.”

Star quarterback Jordan Lynch has been one of the best offensive players in the nation this year, and wants to quiet the people who doubt whether NIU deserves to be in a BCS Bowl. “We’re 12-1,” Lynch told ESPN. “We faced tons of adversity this year. We won tons of games….We definitely deserve to be in there.”

Florida State (11-2) won the ACC and finished twelfth in the standings.